There’s an impressive 250 years (and counting) of history in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, but they’re also paving the way for the future with not one, but two national bases for research into botanical studies. While you’re strolling through the Victorian Palm House or seeking out the luscious flora (including the giant, stinking Titan Arum in the Princess of Wales Conservatory), scientists are working away in offices and laboratories behind the scenes.
Nowadays the Gardens stand at a whopping 300 acres, but they started out a little more humbly in the back yard of what was once the royal palace – favoured most by George III. There’s loads to see here, whether you like green stuff or not. The grand Victorian glasshouses remain a favourite with visitors, one of which (Temperate House) holds the record for the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. And if you want to explore elsewhere? Why not take a trip to the Treetop Walkway. At 18 metres high, this trek through the leaves offers fab views of the grounds.
Once you’ve come back to earth, stroll down to the Chinese Pagoda, which was built in 1762 and towers over the southern end of the Gardens.
Given the exceptional upkeep and wide variety of fauna, you’re sure to be inspired. And if the plants aren’t doing the trick, try seeking out the sculptures, which feature Henry Moore’s ‘Reclining Mother and Child’ in a stunning setting that changes with the light of each season. In fact, the art alone could take up your entire visit – see the Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture ‘A Maximis Ad Minima’ and visit the Marianne North Gallery and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, all included in the main entry price.
Whenever you visit Kew Gardens, there’s something in bloom. Even in autumn or winter, you can be assured you won’t just see a lot of old twigs.
This cute outdoor spin off from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for young kids is part of the Australian Theatre Company’s summer season at beautiful Kew Gardens. In it, four of Shakespeare’s fairies encounter Peter Pan’s pal Tinkerbell. Little audiences are invited to dress up as fairies or pirates.
The manicured surrounds of Kew's botanical gardens will become the Wild Woods of Kenneth Grahame's beloved children's story, in this outdoor performance. Australian Shakespeare Company will stage the tale of four animal friends messing about in boats, and adventuring on the riverbank. Suitable for all ages.
For whatever reason the Australian Shakespeare Company are summer regulars at Kew Gardens and for 2024 they’ve made their regular migration across from one side of the planet to the other with three shows: two for kids (‘The Wind in the Willows’ and ‘The Dream Fairies’) and then this for older audiences. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is, of course, Shakespeare’s magical comedy, and unlike the children’s shows it’ll be staged in the evening, with nightfall taking place during the show itself. It’s hard to imagine a more spectacular backdrop.
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